Buy-to-let landlords are banging their heads on the wall, wailing "What have we done?" House prices are plummeting to the earth's core. Estate agents queue for space on the seventh-floor window ledge. It's fair to say that there's something awry in the property market, but TV property shows have been slow to acknowledge the downturn.

The tide began to turn when Sarah Beeny recently admitted that house prices were falling. In a surreal edition of A Place In The Sun: Home or Away, a client was torn between a beach view in Spain and a canal view in Salford. I'm sure springtime in Salford is delightful, but it is called A Place in the Sun. Presenter Jonnie Irwin mentioned a "difficult" property market and the sky darkened.

The role of these shows in ramping up the property frenzy has been widely speculated upon, but reality hasn't bitten everywhere. Jon Henley of this parish made an excellent documentary, but nobody on Escape To The Country has so far been refused a mortgage.

At least Location, Location, Location looks to be changing its ways. Though a recent episode saw Kirstie Allsopp encouraging guests to buy, buy, buy in the money-pit that is Thamesmead, the forthcoming one-off special is titled Location, Location, Location: A Survival Guide. Phil Spencer's recent experience might well have had something to do with that.

Mercifully, Channel 4's The Home Show is a beacon of sanity in these times of house-price armageddon. Presenter George Clark, a qualified architect (I know!), argues for homes, not piggy banks. The days of hectoring participants to "add value" are gone; Clark uses his considerable skills to create a better place to live. Compared to the crazed waltz of greed that typifies other offerings, this is extremely refreshing. He also candidly confesses that the stylish fittings were paid for by the show, not the furniture fairies (you don't buy design classics like Le Corbusier recliners on £30,000).

Adhering to a strict, grounded, yet achievable budget imposed by family finances, the smart and genial Clark cleverly improves buildings, creating an extra room, letting in light or making space for a large family bathroom. More importantly, he splurges cash to make safe a dodgy boiler - money sensibly spent.

So what's next? Rejig your shed? Update your hostel? Or make time to liven up your place in the queue when withdrawing money from a failing bank? Realism might actually lead to some creativity.